Water Margin begins as a captain in Yanggu County

Chapter 331 I shall issue an edict to depose the emperor and select a new crown prince!
They were saying in the main hall, "Let's invite the retired emperor," but at this moment, why would they need to invite the retired emperor?

Wu Song, accompanied by a number of eunuchs and palace maids, had already found his way to the outside of Longde Palace.

A large number of soldiers rushed forward and smashed the locks on the palace gates.

While inside the Longde Palace, Zhao Ji heard the commotion outside. Wearing only an undergarment that was somewhat revealing to his chest, Zhao Ji leaped up and ran towards the entrance.

He ran while shouting, "Who goes there? Who's out there?"

A voice came from outside: "Is that His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus? This humble general is Wu Song, the guerrilla general of the Jingdong Army..."

Zhao Ji was overjoyed, but also somewhat incredulous. He knew Su Wu was going to the capital, but wasn't it said that Su Wu was going to be imprisoned with only eight hundred soldiers?
"Where is Su Wu?" Zhao Ji called out again.

"Your Majesty, Prime Minister Su is over there in the Chuigong Hall..." Wu Song replied, while also shouting, "Smash it! Smash it!"

Zhao Ji had already reached the door when he stopped abruptly, his eyes widening, and before he could speak, he burst into tears: "Waaaaah... You've come? You've really come?"

"Your Majesty, we have come to the rescue!" Wu Song was also surprised; why was the emperor crying so loudly?

As soon as the soldiers broke down the palace gates, they found the Emperor Emeritus not only wailing, but sitting on the ground, pounding his fists on the floor, and shirtless...

Is this the retired emperor?
Wu Song was momentarily confused...

The retired emperor, seeing the large number of armored soldiers pouring in, immediately stood up from the ground: "It's good that they've come, it's good that they've come. I knew that Su Wu would not disappoint me. Let's go to the Chui Gong Hall!"

With that, the retired emperor was the first to step out.

Wu Song, however, stopped him, saying, "Your Majesty, Minister Su said that he has sent someone to inform the Emperor Emeritus that he may proceed only after the Emperor Emeritus has been informed..."

"Oh?" Zhao Ji frowned, pondered for a moment, and then said, "Then Su Qing must have some other plans. Well... no rush. Let's wait and see what happens on his end before we go!"

Zhao Ji was thinking about potential dangers, after all, it was a power grab, and he figured his unfilial son must have a way to deal with it, maybe even a bloody battle, anyway, he was just having all sorts of wild thoughts...

At this moment, how could we not trust Su Wu?

Wu Song then asked, "Would the Emperor Emeritus like to change his clothes?"

It was truly an eyesore. He was wearing an undergarment, which was not even fastened properly, and his chest and breasts were exposed. Where was the majesty of the emperor?
Zhao Ji nodded upon hearing this and turned to leave, but after taking only one step, he immediately stopped and said, "I will wear this, and let the world see that there are still such unfilial sons in the world, and see how miserable I am..."

Wu Song scratched his head, thinking to himself, "This retired emperor really does have a bit of a temper."

Wu Song also expressed his concern: "Does Your Majesty suffer from any ailment?"

The Emperor Emeritus waved his hand: "No, I've always been in good health!"

You know what, Emperor Huizong of Song was really in good health!
Wu Song simply nodded in reassurance.

The Emperor Emeritus suddenly glanced at Wu Song. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and thick-waisted; he was indeed handsome and robust…

His armor and piercing eyes made him truly imposing and extraordinary.

The retired emperor then asked, "Eh, what is your name?"

Wu Song bowed respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I am Wu Song, a guerrilla general of the Jingdong Army. My name is Wu as in 'civil and martial,' and I am Song as in 'relaxed and carefree.'"

The Emperor Emeritus looked up at Su Wu, then patted Wu Song's arm and nodded: "Good, good hero, good general, a martyr of unparalleled loyalty and righteousness! I will certainly reward him handsomely!"

At this moment, Zhao Ji's spirits had clearly returned instantly. He put one hand on his hip and the other on Wu Song's muscular body, his back slightly leaning back...

It really gives you the feeling of... a serf finally becoming the master.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wu Song bowed deeply, overjoyed, but he added, "Your Majesty, ever since receiving that imperial edict, Prime Minister Su has been sighing day and night, his brow furrowed with worry. He tried every means to come to the capital, fearing along the way that things might not succeed, and repeatedly told us that he was going to his death... But unexpectedly, things have turned out well..."

Zhao Ji was deeply moved upon hearing this. After careful consideration, he understood why Su Wu had brought eight hundred soldiers to the capital.
That was a last resort. If too many came, the cities in Hebei and the capital region would not allow him to pass, and the Yellow River was difficult to cross. Only by taking such risks could he quickly enter the capital.

Eight hundred men came, which was naturally a dangerous undertaking. If this matter failed, Su Wu and his men would lose their heads.

Zhao Ji looked around at the many soldiers, who in turn looked at him with curiosity.

Emperor Huizong said, "This time, there will be generous rewards for everyone! There will be generous rewards for everyone!"

The soldiers, having never seen much of the world, were momentarily lost in thought as they stared at the Emperor, and when they heard the words of the retired Emperor, they did not respond.

Wu Song immediately said, "Why don't you quickly thank His Majesty!"

The numerous generals immediately bowed, one after another, to express their gratitude to His Majesty.

Quickly, a troop of knights arrived, stepping over the flowers and grasses planted by the retired emperor, and shouted, "Quickly, my lord, please invite the retired emperor!"

It was precisely because Su Wu was "begging for his life" on the imperial steps that the time was almost right. He only needed to give a slight hint, and someone would quickly come to find the retired emperor.

Meanwhile, on the imperial steps, Su Wu continued to put Emperor Zhao Huan under immense pressure: "Your Majesty, I deserve to die for this! I only beg Your Majesty to have mercy and ask the Emperor Emeritus to appear and say a word. I will die without regret!"

It's as if Su Wu was still giving Emperor Zhao Huan a chance...

Zhao Huan held the crumpled imperial edict in one hand, looking it over from side to side. All eyes were on Zhao Huan.

Zhao Huan looked at Su Wu again, lowered his head slightly, and slowly said, "Minister Su, I swear, I swear, shall I? I swear that if you leave today, all past grievances will be forgiven, and I will immediately promote you to the position of Privy Councilor and Prince of Yan. Minister Su, what do you say?"

Seeing the retired emperor was impossible; if the retired emperor were to appear under such circumstances, Zhao Huan's fate would be sealed.

This Song Dynasty was not comparable to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, nor to the Qin and Han dynasties, let alone the chaos of the Northern and Southern Dynasties and the Five Dynasties.

The education of the scholar-officials during the more than one hundred years of the Song Dynasty, regardless of their personalities, resulted in an extremely high level of public morality. The principles of Heaven, Earth, Ruler, Parents, and Teacher, the Three Cardinal Guides and Five Constant Virtues, could be hypocritical in private, but on the surface, they were as weighty as Mount Tai.

Zhao Huan was practically begging Su Wu for help; given the current situation, Zhao Huan was truly helpless...

All the civil and military officials were trapped here, and soldiers surrounded the main hall completely...

Today, these officials are here to witness that the Emperor has assumed absolute power from this day forward.

Little did they expect that they would be "wiped out" by Su Wu.

Furthermore, regarding the city gates, such as the Left and Right Gates, the Daqing Gate, the Donghua Gate, and the Gongchen Gate, knights went out in squads of about a hundred men each, and all the gates were closed.

If it weren't for the attack by such an elite army, this imperial city would already be like a cage, tightly controlled by these two thousand soldiers.

These are secondary and not very important. The most important thing is that Su Wu has two emperors in his hands, so even if there are a million Song soldiers outside the city, he will have no worries.

In the Song Dynasty, apart from people like Su Wu, who else would dare to disrespect the emperor?
The emperor swore an oath, even making a solemn vow: "Minister Su, if I break this oath, may Heaven and Earth bear witness, and may I be struck by lightning!"

Su Wu wiped away his tears and said, "Your Majesty, what I want is not the position of Privy Councilor, nor the title of Prince of Yan. I do not want the name of a traitorous minister, nor the infamy to last for thousands of generations..."

This play has reached its final act; Su Wu has finished performing all the scenes he prepared.

Whether those present believed it or not, or what they thought or thought in their hearts, was not important. What Su Wu wanted was for everything that happened today to be spread far and wide.

What Su Wu wanted was something Zhao Huan couldn't actually provide.

What could Zhao Huan say? He could only say, "Minister Su, I know you are loyal and righteous, and everyone in the world knows you are loyal and righteous!"

Su Wu nodded and glanced at the imperial edict held in Zhao Huan's hand. At this point, the edict was actually not important. As long as the Emperor Emeritus was there in person, it would be a hundred times more useful than the edict.

Su Wu also turned to look north. The Emperor Emeritus must be here.

Sure enough, a troop of armored soldiers came from the north, surrounding a man dressed in white. The man seemed to walk faster than the soldiers.

coming……

Everyone turned to look. Bai Shizhong let out a deep sigh, closed his eyes slightly, and knew in his heart that it was all over...

However, Pai Shih-chung didn't seem too panicked, perhaps because he hadn't done anything to offend the Emperor Emeritus; he was innocent, and the truth would speak for itself...

Li Bangyan thought the same thing. Wasn't he once a trusted minister of the retired emperor?

Even most of the civil and military officials in the court actually had no stake in this matter.

Those who were truly involved are already dead and lying on the ground, no longer even being smoked.

Su Wu exclaimed excitedly, "The Emperor Emeritus has actually come looking for us!"

Only then did Zhao Huan turn his head to look, and he saw it. Instantly, it was as if all the strength in his body dissipated, and his body hunched over...

The retired emperor rushed over, and as soon as he got close, he cried out, "I am suffering! I am suffering!"

Looking at the retired emperor now, not only was his chest exposed, but he wasn't even wearing shoes...

The retired emperor was seen climbing the steps, lifting his skirt, his hair disheveled, his chest exposed, looking utterly humiliated.

He was also crying: "I am suffering!"

After climbing up, the retired emperor sat down on the ground as if he were about to throw a tantrum. But he wasn't really going to throw a tantrum; instead, he cried out, "How can such a thing happen in this world? How can such a thing happen in this world? Heaven and Earth, ancestors above, how can there be such unworthy descendants in this world? They have disgraced our ancestors and become a laughingstock to the world!"

Looking at everyone in the room, who wasn't weeping with their faces covered? It wasn't necessarily because these people were particularly empathetic or deeply moved and saddened.

Given the current situation, how many people can truly understand it?
At this moment, the retired emperor was crying and pleading, how could one not cover one's face and shed tears along with him?

Su Wu quickly bent down to help him up, saying, "Your Majesty, please rise!"

Bai Shizhong reacted quickly, immediately stepping forward to help him up: "Your Majesty, I did not know, I did not know... I did not know Your Majesty was suffering so much..."

Li Bangyan was always a step behind: "Your Majesty, I am guilty, I am guilty! I deserve to die!"

Looking over there at Zhao Huan, he too was limp and collapsed to the ground, head bowed and silent.

Su Wu helped the retired emperor up: "Your Majesty, please enter the palace..."

Bai Shizhong also stopped and helped, and Li Bangyan also lent a hand.

Su Wu looked back and saw that Wu Song, Lu Da, and the others had immediately hurried up the steps and surrounded him on both sides.

There were still two or three hundred Tokyo assassins at the entrance of the main hall, but there was no need to drive them away. They quickly moved aside to make way for them.

The civil and military officials inside the hall made way for the retired emperor to enter.

As Su Wu helped the Emperor Emeritus walk, he asked, "Your Majesty, should we ask all the civil and military officials to leave? After all, this is a family matter. Even common people have their own family scandals that they don't want to air in public. Just summon the Emperor in... What do you think of this, Your Majesty?"

Zhao Ji simply nodded: "Yes, just like that... It's truly a laughing stock, a laughing stock indeed! It's enough to make the whole world laugh..."

Upon entering the hall, Su Wu simply ordered, "Everyone, go outside the hall and do not leave. All soldiers in the capital outside the hall must disarm and await orders; do not wander off. Please, Your Majesty, enter the hall..."

Everyone naturally followed the arrangements, and just as Su Wu had said, at this point in time, it truly became a family matter, and only after family matters came national affairs.

Outside the palace, things were also bustling with activity. Those who needed to be disarmed were disarmed, and those who needed to be guarded were guarded. For a moment, everyone seemed to be cooperating perfectly and moving smoothly.

However, there were still two people inside the hall who had not left. One was Bai Shizhong, and the other was Li Bangyan. Weren't they once Zhao Ji's trusted close ministers?
They still have some sense of righteousness and face.

Suddenly, Zhao Ji looked around and waved his hand, saying, "This is my family matter, and I cannot listen to it. You two can leave as well... Just leave Su Wu here to guard me!"

Bai Shizhong and Li Bangyan quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I will be waiting at the palace gate. If Your Majesty wishes to summon me, I will come immediately."

Zhao Ji nodded: "Yes, I understand. Go quickly! And bring that unfilial son in too!"

Bai Shizhong nodded repeatedly, "Yes, Your Majesty!" Leaving the palace, he had other matters to attend to. Reaching the Emperor's side, Bai Shizhong knelt and bowed, "Your Majesty, the Emperor Emeritus requests that Your Majesty enter the palace..."

The emperor slightly raised his head, his eyes lifeless, looked at Bai Shizhong, and asked, "Minister Bai, what... have I done wrong?"

Bai Shizhong nodded in agreement: "Your Majesty has not done anything wrong, so you should simply go into the palace and explain to the Emperor Emeritus..."

Zhao Huan slowly got up and said loudly again, "What wrong have I done for the sake of the state?"

These words were meant for all the officials in the court; how could they not want to win their hearts? Naturally, they still hoped to gain some support.

As he spoke, Zhao Huan slowly entered the hall. There was no one else in the hall. The retired emperor sat steadily on the high platform, looking around as if he was missing something dearly.

Su Wu, who was holding the sword, was guarding the retired emperor.

The retired emperor raised his hand and beckoned, "Come up here!"

Zhao Huan slowly climbed up the high platform, no longer looking down, but instead looking up at the platform.

Upon reaching the high platform, the retired emperor glared at him with his tiger-like eyes: "You unfilial son, do you know your crime?"

Zhao Huan bowed deeply and said, "Father, I... have I committed any crime?"

Enraged, Zhao Ji immediately stood up, raised his hand to point, and paced back and forth, his body trembling as he pointed: "You still don't know your crime?"

“Father, you have given up on this empire, which is why it has come to your son’s hands. What crime have I committed in taking charge of the empire?”

For a moment, Zhao Huan actually displayed a truly defiant spirit.

Enraged, Emperor Huizong roared, "I see you have no sense of mortality, so I'll kill you, you unfilial son!"

As he spoke, Zhao Ji looked directly at Su Wu and said, "This unfilial son should be executed!"

Is this asking Su Wu to kill someone? It's not entirely incomprehensible; as a father, no matter what, he couldn't tolerate such humiliation from his son...

Zhao Huan also looked at Su Wu, only to see Su Wu gripping the hilt of his sword, looking truly like a wolf or tiger. He immediately shrank back.

Su Wu was not one to speak; when father and son were fighting, Su Wu had no need to intervene.

At this moment, Su Wu suddenly spoke up: "Your Majesty, please calm down, Your Majesty, please calm down..."

Emperor Huizong of Song did not seem to truly intend to execute his rebellious son on the spot, so he said, "I am furious! Minister Su, tell me, how could I have raised such an unfilial son? What sins have I committed? How have I wronged him?"

What sins have you committed...? Su Wu would not answer such a question, but he thought to himself, "You've committed quite a few sins, haven't you..."

"Your Majesty, please calm down. We are all one family..." Su Wu said again.

Even Su Wu believed there was no need to kill anyone, let alone the emperor.

The emperor calmed his breathing slightly and said, "I will issue an edict to depose the emperor and select a new crown prince!"

Su Wu remained silent.

Zhao Huan spoke softly, "The nation was in peril, and Father abandoned it. I stabilized the nation, and Father took it back... Father, oh Father..."

It is sorrow, it is resentment, it is helplessness...

Emperor Huizong of Song was even more furious, saying, "When have I ever not wanted this country? Huh? Is this country yours to stabilize? Huh? The one who stabilized the country is Su Wu, Su Ziqing of Jingdong. He was brave and risked his life, yet you still want to imprison and kill him. If you continue to act recklessly like this, the destruction of the country is not far away! If I do not take back the country, you will be the ruler of a fallen nation! My Great Song Zhao family will be a laughing stock for generations to come!"

These two, father and son, actually have some real skills when they argue.

Zhao Huan looked at Su Wu again and said, "Perhaps you should regret it. You should regret not having truly cultivated a deep friendship with Su Wu in the past, and you should regret listening to Geng Nanzhong's words..."

After Zhao Huan finished speaking, he suddenly bowed to Su Wu and said, "It is I who have wronged you! I apologize to you..."

Su Wu was also taken aback. What was going on here?

Or is it that Zhao Huan is truly so adaptable and resilient? Perhaps he even has grand plans for the future?
Su Wu returned the greeting: "Your Majesty need not do this. I only hope that Your Majesty will not hold a grudge against me... I am truly helpless... This time when I leave the capital again, I will do my utmost to eliminate the threat of the Jurchens and repay the Emperor's kindness with my life!"

Zhao Ji looked at Su Wu and said, "This unfilial son does not know loyalty and righteousness, only trusts treacherous officials, and has no respect for me whatsoever. Just a few days ago, he was showing off his power in front of me. He is truly not a son! He is even less fit to rule the world!"

Zhao Huan was speechless, unable to say anything... He simply stood aside, utterly defeated in this round...

Zhao Huan also looked at Su Wu, and he realized that he had not lost to the retired emperor, but to Su Wu.

Unexpectedly, Liu Guangshi disregarded his father's life and was so devoted to serving Su Wu to the death.

If Liu Guangshi hadn't been misjudged, we wouldn't be where we are today. Who misjudged Liu Guangshi?

How could it not be Geng Nanzhong? Such a defeat is hateful because Geng Nanzhong is incompetent, immoral, and deserving of death!

The retired emperor shouted: "Bai Shizhong!"

They really called out names!

"Your subject is here!" Bai Shizhong rushed inside.

The retired emperor's face was unfriendly. He glanced sideways and said, "Draft an edict and issue a decree: The emperor is unworthy, listening to treacherous officials and framing loyal ministers. The emperor is unfilial, deceiving his father and ancestors, and has no filial piety or righteousness whatsoever. Therefore, he is hereby deposed as emperor, demoted to a commoner, and his entire family is imprisoned in the capital!"

"As you command!" Bai Shizhong bowed deeply, his movements perfectly executed.

"Go immediately!" The emperor waved his hand, and at this moment, his imperial majesty returned.

“Yes, yes…” Bai Shizhong ran off.

The retired emperor waved his hand again at Emperor Zhao Huan: "You get out too, kneel at the entrance of the main hall, and await your fate!"

Zhao Huan let out a long sigh, hunched over, bowed slightly, and descended the steps towards the entrance of the main hall...

Emperor Huizong sat down, leaned back slightly, closed his eyes briefly, and remained silent for a moment. His expression gradually calmed down, as if he were enjoying this moment, a moment that was not good in the past...

At this moment, however, I feel incredibly good. Time seemed to drag on endlessly in Longde Palace; it's been so long...

Once Zhao Ji sat up straight, he looked at the man who had held the knife beside him and said with a smile, "You really came. These past few days I thought you wouldn't come, or that you would fall victim to those treacherous officials..."

"I am willing to die a hundred times!" Su Wu replied.

"Back then, when we discussed landscaping at Genyue, you were about to go into battle, and you said the same thing, words that were tantamount to a hundred deaths... Today, I truly know that you are the most loyal and righteous minister in this world..."

Emperor Huizong was truly gratified and overjoyed. He had even given up hope, but Su Wu still succeeded.

Su Wu bowed, but the emperor raised his hand to block him, saying, "No need. Tell me, what reward do you want for your courageous rescue of the emperor?"

Su Wu remained silent, only saying, "I have come here not seeking any merit. I only wish to return to Yanyun to command troops and fight the Jurchens to the death, just like Wei Qing, Huo Qubing, and Li Jing of the past, to sweep away the threat of the barbarians for the Great Song and Your Majesty!"

"Very well...Very well...If you are Wei Qing and Huo Qubing, then I am Emperor Wu of Han, and Emperor Taizong of Tang...From this day forward, we, ruler and subject, will be of one mind and one heart!"

Emperor Huizong was deeply moved today.

"I am deeply honored, and even more so, I am extremely humbled!"

The Emperor Emeritus suddenly grasped Su Wu's hand, patting it with his other hand as well, and slowly said, "Do not be afraid. Focus on the war. The whole affair started with the Jurchens. Now that the Tanguts have been pacified, we must also pacify the Jurchens, thus eradicating our past shame! Our relationship as ruler and subject will be a legend for all time! Rest assured, returning to command the troops is a minor matter. As for how to reward you, I will discuss it with others, and you will be rewarded with whatever honor is due..."

"I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace. I only wish that the people of this world, and future generations, will not curse me as a traitorous minister..."

"How could that be!" Zhao Ji said firmly, then added, "Rest assured, with me here, the whole world will know that you are unparalleled in loyalty and righteousness!"

Upon hearing this, Su Wu sighed and simply expressed his doubts...

The emperor glanced at the people outside the door and asked, "Ziqing..."

"Hmm?" Su Wu was also surprised; this form of address really seemed intimate.

"Tell me, which of these people outside is loyal and righteous? Which is selfless and devoted to the public good? They are all only thinking about their own wealth and glory... If you recommend some people to serve in the capital and associate with these selfish and greedy parasites, how can the country prosper?"

Zhao Ji seemed to have suddenly realized something...

Su Wu was prepared for this matter, but he first said, "This is such an important matter. I am young and inexperienced in such matters, so I dare not speak recklessly!"

"Speak plainly, recommend a few people, and I will test them one by one. I will not blame you for their performance, good or bad!" Zhao Ji said.

Su Wu didn't refuse outright: "I don't know many people. To be honest, I think that the former censor was no better than Li Gang, the former prefect of Daming Prefecture..."

Li Gang is a truly loyal and upright man, but he also has flaws; he is too much of a bookish idealist…

However, there is an advantage: right and wrong are clearly distinguished. What Su Wu needs at this time is a clear distinction between right and wrong, because everything Su Wu is doing now is beneficial to the country and its people.

On a personal level, Li Gang would naturally help Su Wu!
“Okay, we’ll use it. Tell us more…” Zhao Ji asked.

Su Wu then said, "Actually, the newly promoted Imperial Censor Qin Hui is not bad. He is quite capable and efficient in his duties. Your Majesty can test him a bit."

"Alright, I've noted it down. Now tell me more..." Zhao Ji asked.

Su Wu stopped talking: "As for the rest, it is up to Your Majesty to decide. If I were to speak to too many people, wouldn't that be considered forming cliques and engaging in self-serving activities?"

"You, you..." Zhao Ji smiled slightly and asked, "How is your father-in-law?"

“Your Majesty, please forgive me. My father-in-law is good at maintaining the status quo but lacks ambition. Moreover, he is too cautious and lacks courage... He is not capable of great things!” Su Wu replied.

"Is this just modesty or the truth? I see that the affairs of Jingdong are going very smoothly. You have a large army on the front lines, and you have no worries about food, drink, or supplies. How can you speak ill of your father-in-law behind his back like this?"

Zhao Ji asked with a smile.

"Uh..." This question stumped Su Wu.

Emperor Huizong then asked, "You don't mean to expect your father-in-law to spend his whole life helping you out, do you?"

"That's not my intention!" Su Wu replied.

"Very well, then let him come to the capital, serve as the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and be promoted to Grand Chancellor!" Zhao Ji waved his hand again, as this was a matter of great importance to the country, and he could make a decision with a single word.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Su Wu replied, then, after a moment's thought, added, "Your Majesty is also aware of the two Pacification Commissioners of the Eastern Capital. With the war ongoing and the Jurchens powerful, my troops are mostly stationed in the Eastern Capital, and our supplies and provisions largely depend on them..."

Do you really think Su Wu was just being modest and didn't want anything? Su Wu wanted far more than that.

"Alright, alright, name someone... I grant your request. The person you name is certainly capable and can handle these tasks well!"

“Zong Ze, the prefect of Dongping Prefecture…is capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities!” Su Wu replied, though there were many things he needed to think carefully about.

Zong Ze cannot go to the capital; he has to work for Su Wu!
"Yes, him!" The Emperor nodded, then asked, "Is there anyone else you wish to promote? In military matters, merit is the measure. Today, I will bestow favors upon those who are loyal and righteous. As for the matter of bestowing titles and honors upon your wife and children, your wife should be granted a title, and if you have any children, they should also be granted favors. As for others, you may recommend others..."

Su Wu thought for a moment, then shook his head: "Your Majesty's kindness is beyond measure, and thus it is beyond measure."

Actually, there are still plenty, but there's no rush, no need to ask for them right now. Su Wu doesn't engage in such things as forming cliques and pursuing personal gain.

They were needed at any time afterward, and each of them had made outstanding contributions.

Suddenly, the Emperor called out, "Li Bangyan, come in and offer me some advice. And you... Censor-in-Chief, come in and offer me your strategies. Let's see how you reward Minister Su for your service today..."

(Guys, let's have another round... I have something to do tonight.)
(End of this chapter)